December 30, 2014

Seeing everyone's 2014 highlights has done two things. First, it has inspired me to follow suit, and secondly, it has made me feel like I kinda dropped the ball this year. You folks have really created some incredible stuff!

December 22, 2014

We all have the capacity to be both sweet and sour, wouldn't you say? Everyone has his or her moment of being considerate and selfless and kind, and there are times when each of us feels grumpy and grim.

December 8, 2014

December 4, 2014

I need to tell you a little bit more about Hickory Farms. As you know, they offer a variety of specialty foodsand holiday food giftsthat are perfect for any budget and for everyone on your list. Quality, freshness, and value are key traits of all of their holiday treats and gifts, and for more than 60 years, they've been providing holiday shoppers with options that not only impress aesthetically, but also taste delicious.

November 12, 2014

I'm sure most of you are on top of your game and already have Thanksgiving dessert all planned out. If not, here are a few of my favorites that might inspire you (or, at the very least, make you hungry).

November 3, 2014

October 31, 2014

I'm always proud of my degree in food science, but there are times when that pride is nearly overwhelming. How awesome is it that these people (who probably took the very same courses that I did, maybe even sitting right beside me) are spending their days adapting ingredients to suit consumers with dietary conflicts?

August 30, 2014

Most of us have recipes we've made so many times that we know them backwards and forwards and could probably carry them out blindfolded and with one hand tied behind the back. I have several of those, and this is one I can't believe I haven't shared.

July 12, 2014

July 7, 2014

I might be wrong, but I suspect that a lot of Americans (and perhaps Italians) consider spaghetti and meatballs to be one of the ultimate comfort foods. It was never on my list, though, and I can only assume that's because we didn't eat it when I was growing up.

June 30, 2014

I think (and hope) we all have teachers from elementary or high school or college who really left an impression on our lives. I consider myself very fortunate and am grateful that there were so many men and women in my life who taught me much more than the things applying to the subject at hand.

June 24, 2014

As a kid in my small southwestern VA hometown, you couldn't avoid country music. I went through a spell where I loved the sound of it and many of its artists--Garth Brooks, the Dixie Chicks, Big and Rich, Toby Keith, and yes, even Kenny Chesney. (Am I dating myself?)

June 20, 2014

June 17, 2014

While there are a number of sweet treats associated with New Orleans (beignets and bread pudding, to name a few), one of the most awesome desserts that has its origins in The Big Easy is bananas Foster. For my money, it’s hard to beat the combination of bananas, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and rum.

May 14, 2014

Friends, tomorrow is a special day, for as I understand it, it's National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day. If ever there was a food that deserved a day of recognition, it's the humble and long-loved chocolate chip cookie.